Systems and methods for visual test authoring and automation

Abstract

A method of a visual test authoring and automation solution framework for an enterprise comprising supporting the creation of a test case for a visual application. First, the framework allows a user to assign a user-defined name to a test element, and select an action to be performed on the test element from a menu of actions. Second, the framework stores a mapping of the user-defined name assigned to the test element to a coded name in a corresponding language of an automated testing tool. Lastly, the system uses the mapping and the action selected to create the test case in the corresponding language of the automated testing tool.

1 . A method for visual test authoring and automation comprising:
 (a) supporting the creation of a test case for a visual application by allowing a user to assign a user-defined name to a test element and select an action to be performed on the test element from a menu of actions;   (b) storing a mapping of the user-defined name assigned to the test element to a coded name in a corresponding language of an automated testing tool; and   (c) using the mapping and the action selected to create the test case in the corresponding language of the automated testing tool.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  comprises executing the test case. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the visual application includes form-based applications. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mapping is created via a web-based interface to a visual test authoring and automation solution framework. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the solution framework includes the automated testing tool. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  comprises enabling automated testing of a new feature. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  comprises enabling the test cases to be written before the visual application is coded. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  comprises providing the ability to access external data files. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test element includes at least one of a control element on a screen, a function element, and an operation element. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the control element includes at least one of a clickable area, a button, a text field, and a link. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the screen includes at least one of a web page, a logical screen, and a form. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a test element includes at least one of a screen, a page, and a form. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test element includes at least one of spreadsheet, data file, excel file, statement, math function, string function, and a rule. 
     
     
         14 . A visual test authoring and automation solution framework comprising:
 (a) a visual interface, operatively coupled to a web server, for capturing a mapping of a user-defined name to a test element in a visual application;   (b) the web server, operatively coupled to a repository and the visual interface, storing the captured mapping in a repository;   (c) the repository having a computer readable storage medium for storing mappings and test cases created by the user; and   (d) an adapter, coupled to the repository and automated test tool, for converting the user-defined test element into a corresponding test element in an automated testing tool; and   (e) the automated testing tool, wherein the tool is operatively coupled with adapter.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the automated test tool is configured to execute the test case. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the visual application includes form-based applications. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the visual interface is a web-based interface to the visual test authoring and automation solution framework. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the solution framework includes the automated testing tool. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the solution framework enables automated testing of a new feature. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the solution framework comprises enabling the test cases to be written before the visual application is coded. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the server provides the ability to access external data files. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the test element includes a control element on a screen. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the control element includes at least one of a clickable area, a button, a text field, and a link. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the screen includes at least one of a web page and form. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein a test element includes at least one of a screen, a page, and a form. 
     
     
         26 . A method of form-based test authoring and automation comprising:
 (a) supporting the creation of a test case for a visual application by allowing a user to assign a user-defined name to a test element, and select an action to be performed on the test element from a menu of actions;   (b) storing a mapping of the user-defined name assigned to the test element to a coded name in a corresponding language of an automated testing tool;   (c) creating the test case using the mapping and the action selected; and   (d) storing the test case in the corresponding language as script code in a script file.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  comprising executing the test case by executing the script code of the script file. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  comprising executing the test case using the automated testing tool, independent of the solution framework, by executing the script code of the script file. 
     
     
         29 . A visual test authoring and automation solution framework comprising:
 (a) a visual interface for mapping a user-defined name to a test element in a visual application;   (b) an adapter configured create test scripts by at least converting the test element into a corresponding test element in an automated testing tool;   (c) a repository having a computer readable storage medium for storing test cases created by the user as script code in a script file, and test scripts created by the adapter;   (d) a server suitable as a web server operative coupled to the repository and visual interface, wherein the server is configured to execute the test scripts; and   (e) an interface for outputting the script file.   
     
     
         30 . The framework of  claim 29  comprising an automated testing tool for receiving the script file and executing the script code of the script file. 
     
     
         31 . The framework of  claim 30 , wherein the automated testing tool executes the script code independently from the solution framework.